Council asks federal government for “some provisions for the defense of Vancouver” – May 28, 1888

The Health Inspector authorized to tear down the old building on the Hospital Lots and that the chain gang be utilized for that purpose. Carried. Alderman Bell-Irving resigns. Communication to H.P. Caron, Minister of Defense in Ottawa asking him to take some provisions for the defense of Vancouver before the departure of the Royal Engineers by having the necessary surveys and plans of fortifications made by them before leaving the Pacific Coast.

This transcript was made in 2014 by Transcribimus volunteer Margaret Sutherland

From John Robson, Provincial Secretary informing Council that it was not the intention of the Government to take any action in regard to having the Province represented at the Industrial Exhibition at Toronto. Filed.

From John Robson, informing Council that it was the intention of the Government to keep faith with all concerned in the matter of contributing towards the establishment of facile communication between Vancouver and Lulu and Sea Islands. Filed.

From H. Abbott informing Council that he was starting out to explore the road from False Creek to the North Arm preparatory to building same. Filed.

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From A. H. B. MacGowan, Secretary to the Board of Trade, submitting a resolution re the Selection of Dead Man’s Island as a Site for a Powder Magazine. Filed.

From Major and Pearson, Insurance Agents, declining to take risk on Hospital at 5%. Filed.

From John D. Ronald, re the Engine lately purchased from him. Filed.

From H. Abbott asking City to guarantee the erection of a School house on Lots 15, 17 & 18, Block 6, 185, before the end of the present year. Filed.

From E. H. Fletcher, P.O. Inspector giving location of letter boxes and asking permission to place them accordingly.

From E. V. Bodwell et al asking that Powell Street be opened up through Lots 182 & 183. Referred to the Board of Works.

From Messrs Stephenson & McCraney, submitting a tender for the gravelling of Powell Street between Carrall Street and Westminster Avenue at $1.90 per yd. for Six Scow loads.

From E. J. Clark, Toronto offering to

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lease sufficient ground for an Athletic Park in Lot A and donate $1,000.00 for the purpose of starting a fund to put it in first class order if the taxes were paid on same for 5 years and the grounds put in first class order. Referred to the Board of Works.

From Alderman H. Bell-Irving sending in his resignation as member of the City Council.

Tenders for gravelling Park Road. The following tenders were opened and read:

Moved by Alderman Lefevre seconded by Alderman Brighouse. That Messrs Stephenson and McCraney be awarded the contract of gravelling such portions of Sections 1, 2, 3, Park Road as may be required. Carried.

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Reports

Health, No. 10

The Board of Health met on Monday May 21st 1888 and beg to recommend the payment of the following accounts:-

(1.) That the lanes be improved by days’ Labour instead of by contract;
(2.) That a horse, cart and harness be purchased and that the cart be fitted with a tank capable of holding 165 gallons for the purpose of flushing the Sewers and for general work and that a teamster be engaged to look after same.
(3.) That Mr. Tierney, contractor be engaged to put a coating of foam three inches thick over the gravel on Seymour Street to bind it;
(4.) That H. J. Cambie be permitted to dig a drain from his residence on Georgia Street across Thurlow and Georgia Streets to the natural level.
(5.) That tenders be called for the carrying out of the work on Carrall Street as petitioned for by Messrs McGirr and McKinson.
(6.) That the following accounts be paid.
James Stanford, Hospital 775.00
E. Cook, 550.00
E. S. Scoullar & Co. 400.00
& Squier Street Numbers 142.52
R. H. Coumacher, Granville St. 512.64
Stephenson & McCraney Dupont St. 2, 182.70

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J. J. Tierney, Georgia Street 813.00
(7.) That the Health Inspector be notified to at once about the nuisance throughout the City and especially on Cordova Street and Water Street.
(8.) That the following box drains be laid
(a.) On the low land on the corner of Cordova and Cambie Streets.
(b.) On the South Side of Alexander Street.
(c.) On Dunlevy Avenue.
(9.) That separate tenders be called for the gravelling of Sections one, two and three of the Park Road.

Sgd., S. Brighouse, Chairman

Works No.

The Board of Works met on Saturday May 26th 1888 and beg to report that the following accounts have been recommended for payment:-

Bridge across Coal Harbour:
Keefer and McGillivray,
Piles in position $5.00 each
Plank in position per m ft $19.00
Truss Rods per lb. 7 cts
Augus McLellan
Piles in position $6.40 each
Plank in position $16.70 per m ft
Truss Rods per lb. 10 cts
Armstrong & Wescott
Piles in position $3.20
Plank in position $17.00 per m
Truss Rods per lb. 8 cts
R. A. Baynes
Piles in position $4.95 each
Plank in position $21.00 per m
Bolts etc 5% above cost

We recommend that the contract for the erection of the Fire Hall be awarded to H. A. Bell and the construction of the Bridge across Coal Harbour to Armstrong and Wescott.

We further recommend:-
(1.) That tenders be called for the grading and sidewalking of ports of Abbott, Dupont and Pender Streets, the grading of 150 feet of Beatty Street, the laying of a 4 foot sidewalk on Melville Street and the construction of a residence at the cemetery for the caretaker.
(2.) That the City Engineer examine and report upon the opening up of Nelson Street from Burrard Street to Homer Street; Homer Street from Nelson Street to Smithe Street; Smithe Street from Homer Street to Cambie Street.

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Burrard Street Thurlow Street, Jervis Street and Nicola Street from end to end; Davie and Nelson Streets from Burrard Street to Nicola Street.
(3.) That the crossings on the corner of Water and Abbott Streets be lowered as petitioned for by the firemen.
(4.) That as James Hartney was the original successful tenderer on Section 6 of the Park Road and as his deposit is still in the hands of the Treasurer and as he offers to allow $200.00 for work done since his tender was put in, we recommend that the contract be awarded to him according to original tender less $200.00, allowed for improvements; also that Rand Bros. be requested to pay to the City $200.00 as agreed by them in lieu of clearing their portion of Beach Avenue.

Sgd., S. Brighouse, Chairman

Moved by Alderman Brighouse seconded by Alderman Couth. That the Report of the Board of Works be adopted. Carried.

Finance No.

The Finance Committee met on Friday May 18th 1888 and beg to recommend the payment of the following accounts:
R. Mathison, Printing $7.00
A. J. Marks, Painting 18.00

We have taken into consideration the communication from the Secretary of the School Board of Trustees, asking Council to grant a Subsidy to Miss Murchie for her services connected with the public school.

Although admitting that Miss Murchie is not sufficiently paid for the work she performs we cannot see our way clear to recommend any grant being made out of City funds as the Government raises taxes for the support of the schools and the responsibility lies altogether with them.

The consideration of an increase of salary for the City Engineer has been laid over for one week.

Sgd,. Rich H. Alexander, Chairman

Moved by Alderman Brighouse seconded by Alderman Couth. That the Report of the Finance Committee be adopted. Carried

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F. W. & L. No.

The Fire, Water and Light Committee met on Thursday May 17th 1888 and beg to recommend:-
(1.) That the following accounts be paid
Charles Nelson, Polishing Material $4.00
Fraser & Leonard, Duty on Hose Reels 61.25
W. W. Ayer, Repairs to Engine etc 30.00
Leash & Johnson, Coal 22.00
(2.) That the Chairman of this Board be empowered to purchase eight tons of hard coal at $9.00 per ton and a quantity of soft coal at the most favourable rates.
(3.) That the Fire Inspector be required to examine the fire tanks daily to see that the water supply in them is ample and report to the Chairman of this Board when there is any deficiency.
(4.) That as the Telephone Company has offered to inaugurate a night telephone service suitable for fire alarm purposes for $25.00 per month we recommend that their offer be accepted and that once going be placed in the Fire Hall in the most convenient place. This arrangement to be continued from month to month or as long as Council may deem it, advisable

Sgd., J. Humphries, Chairman

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Moved by Alderman Lefevre seconded by Alderman Couth. That the F. W. & L. report be adopted. Carried.

Mr. E. E. Boyer, appeared before the bar of the Council and asked them to subscribe $300.00 towards an illustrated guide book. Referred to Finance Committee.

Motions

Moved by Alderman Alexander seconded by Alderman Oppenheimer. That a return be made to Council at next meeting, showing all street work now under contract or tender, distinguishing in which ward such work may be. Carried. Moved by Alderman Clark seconded by Alderman Lefevre.

That F. C. Birks be placed on the City Pay Roll for May @ $50.00 per month for services connected with the City Hospital. Carried.

That permission be granted the P. O. Department to erect Post Office boxes at the localities mentioned in Mr. Fletcher’s communication. Carried.

Moved by Alderman Lefevre seconded by Alderman Alexander.

That tenders be again called for building the approach on Carrall Street and that the Board of Works be empowered to deal in the matter. Carried.

Moved by Alderman Oppenheimer seconded by Alderman Humphries.

That the following accounts be paid:-

C. P. Telegraph Co. $2.80
Simon McLean $60.00

Carried.
Moved by Alderman Humphries seconded by Alderman Alexander.

That the resignation of Alderman Bell-Irving be accepted as member of the City Council. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Clark seconded by Alderman Oppenheimer.

That Messrs Stephenson & McCraney be awarded the contract for delivering 6 Scow loads of gravel more or less on Powell Street at $1.90 per yard. Carried.

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Moved by Alderman Oppenheimer seconded by Alderman Brighouse.

That the following resolution be addressed to the Hon Sir A. P. Caron, Minister of Militia and Defense. Be it resolved that the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vancouver the Canadian Pacific Railway line connecting as it does the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is not only an important factor in developing the natural and commercial resources of the Dominion of Canada, affording, as it does in connection with its lines of Steamships on both oceans the shortest route between the Mother Country and her possessions in the East; entirely constructed in Territory over which the British Flag floats, is also of Imperial importance not alone in a Commercial sense but also as a Military route from East to West in case of necessity.

That it is all important on these grounds that such steps should be taken for its protection as would render it reasonably secure from hostile interference in case of War.

That at its Western Terminus Vancouver the Entrepôt on the Pacific Ocean for the Eastern Trade with a population of eight thousand persons, has sprung up having extensive lines of Docks and Wharves at which British Steamships from all parts of the world

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are continually arriving, with large warehouses, manufacturing, establishments, industries erected in course of construction and protected which will soon make it the most important city in British Territory in this Province, second only to San Francisco on the whole Pacific Coast.

That this Council has learned that a Corps of Royal Engineers have been for some time engaged in planning fortifications at Esquimalt and that same will soon be completed and said Engineers will then depart from this Province.

That this Council earnestly press upon the government of Canada to take some provisions for the defense of Vancouver before the departure of said Engineers by having the necessary surveys and plans of fortifications made by them before leaving the Pacific Coast.

That this resolution be forwarded to the governor in Council through the Honourable Minister of Militia and Defense for Canada and that said Minister be requested to urge the necessity and importance upon the cabinet and make all necessary representations to the Imperial Authorities to secure the object mentioned in this Memorial. Carried.

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Moved by Alderman Lefevre seconded by Alderman Alexander.

That the Health Inspector be authorized to tear down the old building on the Hospital Lots and that the chain gang be utilized for that purpose. Carried.

By-Laws

Moved by Alderman Alexander seconded by Alderman Oppenheimer. That the By-Law to raise $150,000 by way of Debentures be read a third time and be then signed printed and engrossed. Carried.

Alderman Lefevre moved that the Amendments to the Health By-Law be read a second time. Carried.

The rules were suspended and Council went into Committee of the Whole with Alderman Lefevre in the Chair.

By-Law was read clause by clause in Committee, after which it rose reporting By-Law complete with Amendments.

Moved by Alderman Lefevre seconded by Alderman Alexander. That the By-Law be renumbered 61, read a third time and signed sealed, engrossed and printed. Carried.

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The Council went into Committee of the Whole on Dog Tax By-Law with Alderman Humphries in the Chair. Several clauses were read over after which the Committee rose to report progress and asked case to sit again.

The Council then adjourned.

D. Oppenheimer, Mayor

Thos. F. McGuigan, City Clerk

Council asks federal government for “some provisions for the defense of Vancouver” – May 28, 1888